Quick-hit thoughts around Patriots & NFL

Summary of 3 articles · Updated Dec 1, 2013

Quick-hit thoughts around the NFL and with the New England Patriots 1a. Passing along quick-hit notes and observations from the third quarter: The Patriots wasted no time getting going in the second half, as they needed just over two minutes to score thei… (more)r second touchdown of the game. Passing along quick-hit notes and observations from the first quarter: With Stevan Ridley inactive, it was Shane Vereen in the huddle at running back for the first offensive series, playing one play before Brandon Bolden was subbed in to take the first carry of the game. No Patriots were flagged in the first quarter. The Patriots have scored touchdowns on each of their first two second-half drives over the past three games. It’s rare to see a player his size asked to cover regularly down the field, but similar to Mike Vrabel when he once moved to inside linebacker because the team had injury issues, Hightower is often carrying out a role for the betterment of the team that doesn’t necessarily tap his best assets .